Overview–zimbabwe

Zambezi National Park

Named after the atmospheric tropical waterway that flows along its northern boundary, Zambezi National Park supports good numbers of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and other wildlife. Because it is near Victoria Falls, the park is most frequently visited on full- or half-day safaris, but it also boasts a great choice of classy riverside accommodations offering a full-on bush experience.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for wildlife viewing in Zambezi National Park is from June to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season. The Zambezi River becomes a place for animals to gather and, during this dry time, the bush thins out making it easier to see them. Most people visiting the park stay at Victoria Falls, which is rewarding throughout the year, but most dramatic from February to June, when the water is highest. The Falls are still very spectacular, but with less spray and clearer views, over July to September.

April to October –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife is more easily seen as the bush thins out and animals gather around the river
Victoria Falls is generally at or close to its best through the Dry season, but the flow drops significantly over October
Days are bright and filled with sunshine
The chances of contracting malaria are lower since there are fewer mosquitoes
It is cooler (except in October)
Victoria Falls gets crowded
The air is dusty
Warm clothing is recommended for early morning game drives, which can be cold

November to March –Wet Season – Summer

The landscape is lush and green
There are fewer visitors in the town of Victoria Falls, and rates might be lower
Newborn animals are present
With the arrival of migratory birds, bird watching is at its best
Wildlife viewing is not as good as during the Dry season
From October to December, the flow of the Zambezi River is at its lowest and Victoria Falls is less spectacular than in other months
Some roads become muddy and difficult to drive on
The heat and humidity can become unbearable

Scenery

The Scenic Zambezi River is lined with jungle-like riverine forests and studded with small islands. It can be explored along Zambezi Drive, which runs the length of the park from east to west for roughly 50km/30 mi. The riverine forest hosts some amazing trees including apple rings, figs, ebonies, and baobabs. Elsewhere, a cover of mopane and miombo woodland is interrupted by grassy floodplains such as Chamabonda Vlei.

Activities

Most game drives follow scenic Zambezi Drive, where elephants are plentiful. A more remote and southerly area for drives is Chama bonda Vlei, where a pair of wildlife-viewing hides overlooks artificially pumped waterholes. Most lodges in the park run walking safaris and sundowner cruises. Some also have canoes. Lodges inside the park also generally offer day trips to Victoria Falls and can arrange a wide array of activities there.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

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Jul

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April

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Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to October (Best time for wildlife viewing)

High Season

From: June to October (The park gets busy during weekends, regardless of the season)

Size

From: 560km² / 216mi²

Wildlife & Animals

A wide variety of animals, including giraffe, lion and leopard, have access to Zambezi National Park from surrounding areas. Elephant and buffalo are common on the banks of the Zambezi River, which teems with hippo and crocodile. The park also has a good number of antelopes, including waterbuck and bushbuck.

Wildlife Highlights

Numerous hippos bask in the Zambezi River and elephants can sometimes be seen crossing between the riverbanks and islands. Troops of chacma baboon often sit in riverside palm trees, while male greater kudus show off their impressive horns and colonies of banded mongoose scurry around the undergrowth. Chamabonda Vlei is a good place to look for lions, giraffes, zebra, and the majestic sable antelope and eland.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

From June to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season, is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. Wildlife is easier to spot then because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Zambezi River.

General Wheather

Zambezi National Park enjoys warm to hot temperatures. The hottest time occurs from October to March. Temperatures drop over April to September, with the midwinter months of June and July the coolest. The Dry season (April to October) is sunny with clear skies. The Wet season (November to March) is characterized by clear mornings and afternoon showers.

Dry Season –April to October – Winter

April – The temperatures cool down, particularly during the night-time. Rains occur less and less often.
May, June, July & August – These are the coldest winter months. Daytime temperatures are around 27°C/81°F, but at night and in the early morning the temperature cools to around 11°C/52°F. Be sure to bring warm clothing for the early morning game drives.
September & October – The drought finally ends, with the first rains arriving by late October. It gets hot during the day, with temperatures reaching over 31°C/88°F. October is the hottest month with an average daytime temperature of 34°C/93°F.

Wet Season –November to March – Summer

November – It starts raining more heavily, although it won’t rain every day. It can get uncomfortably hot because of the increased humidity and high average daytime temperatures, usually hovering around 34°C/93°F.
December, January & February – These are the three wettest months, with rain falling on average every two days. Even so, it seldom rains the whole day. More normal are dry mornings with short but stormy afternoon showers. Very occasionally, it might drizzle for a few days in a row. Daytime temperatures average 33°C/91°F, while night and early morning average 16°C/61°F.
March – Day and night temperatures average between 33°C/91°F and 15°C/59°F as the Wet season comes to its end.

Prons

Beautiful scenery along the Zambezi River
Picnic spots available
Great half-day or day trip from Victoria Falls
Elephants and hippos are common close to the river
Not crowded despite being close to Victoria Falls
Excellent birding destination

Cons

Only three of the Big Five are regularly seen
Travel by 4WD vehicle is essential

How To Get There

Zambezi National Park, on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, is located less than 5 km/3 mi on a tarred road from Victoria Falls town.

Your point of entry into Zimbabwe will most likely be Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA). Your transportation will normally be provided by your local tour operator as part of your tour package. This usually includes pickup from the airport or hotel. Even if Zambezi NP isn’t part of your safari package, a day trip is easily arranged from any hotel in town.

If you’re doing a road trip in the region, you might be coming from the popular Chobe National Park in Botswana, which is 80km/50 mi west of Victoria Falls. The drive takes just over 1 hour*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), and what tickets would cost.